FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Reader submitted question: I already have a college degree in a business field,
however, I'd like to change careers to the health industry. Do I have to start all
over with my degree or is there a faster way to get another degree?

Many people with a bachelors can enter another bachelors program in an
accelerated program. This provides transfer of some basic program
credits to be transferred (depending on the age of the credit hours) and
thus does not require starting all over.

A major consideration is first what area of healthcare...and so as you
have looked at the various careers on the webpage..is there one or more
of interest.

Second, review the pre-requisites..and if biology or some other sciences
are needed..you likely have the math needed..but the science
requirements might need to be completed.

Probably a key is also spending some time exploring with a health
program admissions person..at one of the community colleges or one of
the universities close to you.

Health care professionals - are there more than just doctors and nurses?

Yes! Doctors and nurses are the health care professionals
you are probably most familiar with. But there are many other kinds
of health care professionals too, such as pharmacists, medical technologists,
dentists, psychologists and medical illustrators, to name but a few.
Even in a well known health care field like nursing, there are many
specialty areas that may be new to you. This guide will give you an
overview of many different specialties.

What are the positive aspects of a career in health care?

There are many! Currently and in the foreseeable future, the demand
for health care professionals is growing, so job availability and mobility
are very good. Helping others is the big "plus" - most of
us like to feel that we can have an impact on the lives of others. Health
care professionals contribute to our health, help us when we are sick,
troubled or injured and work to protect our environment.

What about the negative aspects of working in health care? Hard work,
long hours, catching a disease?

Health care professionals do work hard. They are dedicated
people who take their responsibilities seriously - they have to, because
they are caring for people's lives. Health careers have some risks,
but even where they exist there are many precautions taken to keep risk
to a minimum. In fact, safety is a very important part of your training
as a health care professional.

I'm in high school, could I prepare for a health career now?

The time to start is now! You will see, as you browse through this guide,
that a good academic background is important. A well-rounded course
load is recommended, including the math and science courses your school
offers. Even if you change your mind later about entering a health career,
it is never a bad idea to learn as much as you can about science and
math. Speak to your high school counselor right away to help you plan
accordingly.

I am not in High School, is it too late for me to get started?

Of course not, it is really never to late to start a career in a health profession. It is not unusual to see students in medical school (and all the other health professions) who are in their forties and fifties. A good place to start is the Colorado Workforce page.

Am I suited for a health career?

If you enjoy working with people, want a career with
good job security, are interested in earning an above average starting
salary, and in job mobility - then a career in health care may be right
for you!

I'm not a "people person" and I'm not comfortable around sick
people. How could I be a health care professional?

There are health care occupations that do not involve
a lot of personal contact. Research scientists, medical illustrators,
scientific writers, optical laboratory mechanics, health physicists,
industrial hygienists, health administrators and biostatisticians are
examples of these.

If you choose a career that does involve direct interaction, your training
will prepare you for contact with sick or injured people. The satisfaction
of using your special knowledge to help them will override your initial
discomfort. After all, it's the unknown that is scary, so the more you
know about what you are doing, the more comfortable you will feel.

How do I know what the salary range is for a given career?

Salaries change frequently and the only real way to stay up with them is to use resources that track salaries. Resources used for this career guide included: